Hybrid or MTB bike

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
Sohail.Liaqat
Posts: 5
Joined: 12 Apr 2021, 10:32am

Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by Sohail.Liaqat »

Hi All,

I am new to cycling and this forum, so please excuse me if this has been asked before.

I am looking for a new bike but i am stuck between a MTB and a Hybrid.

I am not looking to ride on aggressive steeps/downhill on rocky pathways or on actual mountains but on the usual side paths, grass, canal sides ect with some bumpy pathways,

I am also not looking to ride solely on roads or use it for commute, so need some advice if i should go for Hybrid or MTB to be on the safer side.

Thanks
Jdsk
Posts: 24639
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by Jdsk »

Welcome.

What's your price range?

Where are you?

Jonathan
Sohail.Liaqat
Posts: 5
Joined: 12 Apr 2021, 10:32am

Re: Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by Sohail.Liaqat »

Hi

Price range is under £600

I am based in North but looking to get one from either Halfords, Tredz or Evans. Basically i am looking to get one through work cycle scheme so which ever retalers offer these.

Thanks
Bonefishblues
Posts: 11010
Joined: 7 Jul 2014, 9:45pm
Location: Near Bicester Oxon

Re: Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by Bonefishblues »

I'd be steering you in the direction of something like this - a hybrid which is down the mtb end of the spectrum, as it were. Not necessarily this specific model, though, as it has reduced in spec a little for this model year.

It really is all most people need for the type of use you outline.

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/pinna ... e=93254303
Jdsk
Posts: 24639
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by Jdsk »

Will you ever want a rack or mudguards? If you think you might it makes it much easier if they already have the appropriate fittings.

Jonathan
Sohail.Liaqat
Posts: 5
Joined: 12 Apr 2021, 10:32am

Re: Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by Sohail.Liaqat »

mud guards maybe yes but not a rack
Jupestar
Posts: 920
Joined: 29 Feb 2020, 3:03pm

Re: Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by Jupestar »

A quick look on the websites, seem to show that all three sell MTB's with with Full or Front Suspension, but not Rigid MTB's (no suspension). apart from a few cheap ones available at Halfords.

If you are considering £600 on a suspension MTB or £600 on a rigid frame bike, i personally would avoid the suspension entirely - cheap suspension is IMO far worst than a decent rigid fork.

When picking a hybrid , 'relaxed' Geomoetry and wide tyre clearances are likely to be more MTB like than a racier Hybrid with smaller clearances. The Pinnacle referenced above comes with 40/1.5 tyres and seems to have space for a bit more. Likely to be at the MTB end of the 'Hybrid' range. could be a decent place to start if your initail decision is Hybrid Vs MTB.

Always worth testing for fit if you can
Jamesh
Posts: 2963
Joined: 2 Jan 2017, 5:56pm

Re: Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by Jamesh »

If you can afford it get s rigid forked bike but with carbon or thin steel forks these will give a smoother ride without weighing the bike down with heavy suspension.

Something like the specialised globe or Carrera gryphon.

Cheers James
markjohnobrien
Posts: 1037
Joined: 4 Oct 2007, 8:15pm

Re: Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by markjohnobrien »

Ability to fit mudguards will make a big difference to your ride - lots of mud and water from canal towpaths will be all over you and the bike without mudguards.
Raleigh Randonneur 708 (Magura hydraulic brakes); Blue Raleigh Randonneur 708 dynamo; Pearson Compass 631 tourer; Dawes One Down 631 dynamo winter bike;Raleigh Travelogue 708 tourer dynamo; Kona Sutra; Trek 920 disc Sram Force.
Sohail.Liaqat
Posts: 5
Joined: 12 Apr 2021, 10:32am

Re: Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by Sohail.Liaqat »

Thanks all for the feed back

It seems that there are soo many choices available, you get 1 hurdle out of the way and enter another, what are the other benefits of getting a rigid bike as opposed to suspension other than the weight and maybe maintenance, isn't suspension benefit on uneven trails?

I have a few options i am considering below

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/speci ... e=93350303

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/pinna ... e=93254303

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/trek/ ... e=93405403
Bonefishblues
Posts: 11010
Joined: 7 Jul 2014, 9:45pm
Location: Near Bicester Oxon

Re: Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by Bonefishblues »

Because at that pricepoint the suspension forks tend to be both heavy and not very effective, so providing decent-sized tyres are fitted (themselves a significant shock absorber), and the terrain is not too extreme, then those rigid bikes will cope perfectly with both the off and on road cycling you're envisaging.
markjohnobrien
Posts: 1037
Joined: 4 Oct 2007, 8:15pm

Re: Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by markjohnobrien »

Sohail.Liaqat wrote: 13 Apr 2021, 1:33pm Thanks all for the feed back

It seems that there are soo many choices available, you get 1 hurdle out of the way and enter another, what are the other benefits of getting a rigid bike as opposed to suspension other than the weight and maybe maintenance, isn't suspension benefit on uneven trails?

I have a few options i am considering below

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/speci ... e=93350303

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/pinna ... e=93254303

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/trek/ ... e=93405403
Suspension, extra weight, and complexity are to be avoided at this bike price.

Expensive forks are brilliant: cheaper forks poor.

Bike without suspension, as long as it has large tyres, will be fine.
Raleigh Randonneur 708 (Magura hydraulic brakes); Blue Raleigh Randonneur 708 dynamo; Pearson Compass 631 tourer; Dawes One Down 631 dynamo winter bike;Raleigh Travelogue 708 tourer dynamo; Kona Sutra; Trek 920 disc Sram Force.
Sohail.Liaqat
Posts: 5
Joined: 12 Apr 2021, 10:32am

Re: Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by Sohail.Liaqat »

Thanks,

looks like Rigid is winner at my price and needs, next question would be Hydraulic or mechanical breaks? i have read in few places hydraulic breaks are better however mechanical breaks can be as strong and reliable and have lower maintenance, any suggestions would be great.
Bonefishblues
Posts: 11010
Joined: 7 Jul 2014, 9:45pm
Location: Near Bicester Oxon

Re: Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by Bonefishblues »

Having used them, I would always spec hydraulic disc brakes [sic] IMHO they are very much worth having. The Pinnacle's a great bike and one I mention often as a baseline. The chainset has taken a spec dive this year, I noticed, which prompted my earlier comments, but it would serve you very well indeed.
Jamesh
Posts: 2963
Joined: 2 Jan 2017, 5:56pm

Re: Hybrid or MTB bike

Post by Jamesh »

Is the fork on the pinnacle a alu fork or a steel fork?

Alloy might suggest Alu but hi ten infers steel as does the slim dropouts????

Cheers James
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